John McDonnell was asked about those stubbornly persistent leadership rumours on Westminster Hour:

BBC: “You’ve tried for the leadership several times, do you still hold it as an ambition?”

JM: “Nooo, of course not [Laughs] I’m so pleased in the role I’m playing at the moment…”

BBC: “Are you going to try for it again?”

JM: “Nooo, not at all [Laughs] The Telegraph newspaper ran some barmy story a couple of weeks ago that I was challenging for the leadership and I said, where have you got this from? Jeremy is my closest friend in politics for over 30 years. What do I have to do, have a civil partnership with him or something? It’s ridiculous [Laughs]”

BBC: “So you’re ruling it out?”

JM: “Of course I am. I’m so happy to support Jeremy in his leadership. I love the job I’m doing and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve waited most of my political life for a socialist to be leader of the Labour Party and here he is, and I’m doing everything I can to support him.”